While a roundabout offers a modest safety advantage over stop signs and traffic lights, it also would be the most expensive, according to Public Works Director Joe Terry, who said stop signs by comparison are cheaper, require less maintenance, take up less space and offer sufficient safety controls.

The intersection currently has stop lights, but those are not ideal because fewer people have been driving through the site in recent years. Stop signs, Terry said, can reduce delays for drivers compared to the stop lights.

"We're trying to make sure the traffic flows as smoothly as possible," Terry said. "We felt that a four-way stop was the most economical and provided a very good level of service, and overall would provide the best value and safety for the community."

Wisconsin Rapids at present has two roundabouts, one at State 54 and Gaynor Avenue and the other at Baker Street and Market Street.

It could cost the city between $360,000 and $420,000 to build the new intersection and install stop signs; as part of that work, the size of the intersection will decrease slightly and lane layouts could change, according to Eichsteadt.

A roundabout, on the other hand, would cost an estimated $700,000 to $840,000, and reconstructing the intersection with new traffic lights could cost $540,000 to $590,000, according to the city.

Members of the city's Public Works Committee voted to approve the all-way stop configuration last year.

The full street project extends about 2,500 feet along East Grand Avenue from the Wisconsin River bridge to just west of Eighth Street South. Proposed work will include reconstructing pavement; replacing curb, gutter, sewer and water pipes; and adding new street lights, pavement markings, signs, sidewalks, handicap-accessible curb ramps and bike accommodations.

The state Department of Transportation will pay 80 percent of the project's overall $4.5 million cost, which includes work on the intersection at Grand, Lincoln and Jackson, Eichsteadt said.

Residents can learn more about the project at a public meeting on Thursday evening, where the city will display preliminary designs.